Archive

This is an information meeting about the very real threats by the City of Vancouver to evict W2 programs from the Woodward’s heritage building. Learn background info, and find out how you can participate in our community’s response to the attempt to evict W2 on December 31.

We’ll also discuss W2’s financial challenges which threaten W2’s capacity to operate a sustainable community media arts centre. How are we doing, how we plan to be sustainable, and what we and our partners are doing.

The City, landlord and property management company are working to push W2 out over non-payment of $90,000 in amenity/strata fees and because they simply do not like what we do.

This eviction of our programs is delivered, despite our clear demands in correspondence as far back as February 2012, that W2 needs to receive services for amenity fees levied. Instead of hiding behind “legal” arguments about how they cant do anything, City Councillors should respect the local communities’ capacity and ability to build a centre inclusive for all – not just the market.

Instead of attempting to gentrify W2’s grassroots community and inclusive programs and services out out of Woodward’s, City Council and staff should be stepping in to address their own failures to act on City policies for City properties like the Woodward’s heritage building that despite our complaints discriminates against low-income people, persons with disabilities vis-a-vis wheelchair access and public bathroom policies.

W2 has persevered against 4 previous City attempts to block community access to Woodwards. Now we are building a community-engaged media arts centre that works to unite Vancouverites across race, gender and class. Let’s work together to make it last. If we can’t we are forced to move again ~ would be W2’s 6th home in 5 years if you are counting ;)

If we work together, we can demand the Woodward’s development works for the community, not just retail and commercial interests. Woodward’s was meant to be more than that.

This is your opportunity to learn more about what we are doing, help you connect with people with similar interests to defend W2, and get more involved with building a campaign. W2 (R)evolution needs your help now!

W2 Belongs 2 Me members’ meetings are designed to help connect fans of W2 to be more active participants. The session will be important for members, programming partners, volunteers and staff to find our common interests in order to protect the grassroots values of W2 in an otherwise hostile gentrified Woodward’s environment.

PLAN AHEAD! DEC 31 IS THE CITY EVICTION DATE AND OUR CELEBRATION IF INDIGENOUS, LATINO, AND ELECTRONIC MUSIC!

W2 LIGHTS NYE is taking on more meaning this year as we fight for a genuinely inclusive Vancouver, not one racially segregated and only for the middle class. We do not know if this event will take place at Woodward’s or a new site. Stay tuned and participate! http://www.facebook.com/events/500924206594289

Our second year presenting a 4-day community festival and market supporting local artisans, artists, and performing artists with a focus on local Indigenous Peoples. We are also extending invitations to our non-Indigenous friends and neighbours in the inner-city to celebrate the creative talent and sharing and dialogue opportunities.Aboriginal Life In Vancouver Enhancement (ALIVE) in partnership with W2 Community Media Arts Society and the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre are pleased to pres

Daily: Urban Screens NFB Winter Film Classics, 8am-10pm on the Atrium’s videoscreens
winter classics from the video vaults of the NFB.

Daily: Baking & Canning Workshops: Join us on Sunday in the cafe with Zoe and Karen to learn about making Christmas preserves and holiday baking. The cost is just $10-20 (sliding scale) for supplies and you get to leave with the delicious treats you make.

Marie Clements Playwright’s Reading of ‘The Edward Curtis Project’ in advance of its Production
at the National Arts Centre in Spring 2013. The work is based on the original production
commissioned and produced by Presentation House Theatre.

In 1930, photographer Edward Curtis’ landmark series, The North American Indian, recorded
for posterity what he termed a “vanishing people”. Decades later, Metis/Dene playwright Marie
Clements and Canadian documentary photographer Rita Leistner went in search of those
same First Nations peoples and communities. Their three-year journey has become a visually
stunning, thought-provoking drama. Present-day Aboriginal journalist Angelina – traumatized by
chronicling the freezing death of three Native children – interacts with Curtis’ photo images and
the controversial man himself, questioning the ethics of her work and assessing the collateral
damage of being a witness.

Our place is a multi-faceted community based initiative and You play play an important role in determining the overall success of our coordinated strategy to grow healthy children and families in a healthy community.

The Community Forum is an opportunity to share ideas on the Inner City. Sessions will focus on:

Home – Social Housing for Families and Seniors

Family – Parent to Parent Advocacy Training

Work – Opportunities for a Sustainable Economy in the Inner City21 10:30 to

Ten years ago Vancouver’s most famous squat kicked off and impacted the future of the Downtown Eastside. An open community exhibition, screening and dialogue series marks the anniversary and questions the legacy of the autonomous direct action housing initiative over 92 day starting September 15, 2002.

Hendrik Beune of AHA MEDIA and Mad Dogg, one of the original Woodwards Squatters share their reflections and stories 10 years today on Sept 12, 2012

W2 and AHA MEDIA are pleased to be at the 6th Annual Fair in the Square!

Alongside dozens of social enterprises, artists, and community organisations, terrific local bands and musical artists will donate their talents to entertain from the Victory Park stage while a delicious BBQ including cupcakes, beverages and more are served up by the dedicated faculty, staff and students from Vancouver Community College’s Culinary Arts program.

Fair-goers are encouraged to wander the park and visit the tables set-up by a diverse range of social enterprises and neighbourhood non-profit community organizations providing an opportunity to chat and reach out to a network of neighbours, connect with services available, and admire talent coming from the inner city.
All of this is possible with the support of literally hundreds of volunteers who prepare, staff and strike the Fair site in addition to the donation of food, drinks and other goodies from generous corporate partners.

EVENT DESCRIPTION

All the way from Brooklyn, New York, the Sketchbook Project is set to arrive in Vancouver this week for two days of epic sketchbook inspiration!

Irwin Oostindie of W2 with Steven Petermen – Cofounder of The Sketchbook Project

The Sketchbook Project is a traveling library of artists’ books by thousands of people from around the world. It is an immense collection of books and art that express limitless styl…es, influences and ideas.

The Project will be in Vancouver for two days, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 15 and 16, before traveling on to Los Angeles. This collection will travel to 14 cities on 4 continents.

W2 Media Cafe is proud to host the only Pacific Northwest stop on the tour! We’re also pleased to share this collection with the artist community of Metro Vancouver. Centrally located, near many transportation systems, it is easy to reach the Woodward’s site by bus, train, skytrain, seabus, bicycle and car.

2pm WELCOME
Gather in the second floor Community Lounge, enjoy a cup of complimentary coffee and baked goods from our in-house cafe. Tour through our 3-levels and basement crossmedia studio. Hear a welcome “state of the union” address from W2 Board and staff on what we have accomplished, where we are at, and where we are heading.

2:30-3:30pm FIRST CONCURRENT SESSIONS +++++
Choose a topic or working group that you are currently involved in, are curious about, or waiting to dive deep into!

C) W2 RADIO
The W2 Morning Radio Project is W2’s current affairs program broadcast every weekday at 6-8am on 102.7FM. This conversation is designed for current or future contributors to discuss the state of the show and how we can build it.

E) VIDEO HISTORY of W2
area for video presentations/looping with some presenters/informal

5-6pm RECEPTION
Join us at this optional reception for a complimentary beverage and food samplings from the W2 Media Cafe, as we wrap up the day with conversation. This is for individual W2 members like you, plus group members: Simon Fraser Student Society, Open Media, Coop Radio, CJSF, KAYA Songweavers, AHA Media, Vancouver Indigenous Media Arts Festival, W2 Radio, Fearless TV, and you!

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Activate your W2 Belongs to Me member card while you are here today! Earn benefits from your participation with W2’s membership loyalty program. The more contributions you make or coffee or meals you purchase, the more discounts and free access to W2’s resources you receive. Ask a staff member for more information.